Transcript Highlights:

• I had one for every school board member along with some leadership in the school district and so I had
• I'm a third-generation Texan mom, retired high school English teacher, and former school librarian. as
• Ledge started coming for school library collections last session.
• Her middle school and high school patrons who will have limited access to all books. books.
• it. no such thing as a school district library collection development policy.

Bills: HB256 , HCR19 , SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB1130

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• and for the private schools?
• I think that you run a school.
• My school teaches American government.
• And the bill specifically says that the school voucher program money cannot go to schools, and it lists
• My little sister attended that school.

Bills: S0500 , S0536 , S0762 , S1582 , S1632 , S1634 , S1742 , S1750 , S1792

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Keywords: security detail, protective detail, candidate protection, election security, statewide office, governor, lieutenant governor, cabinet officer, nominee, officer-elect, FDLE, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, primary election, general election, canvassing commission, political party, minor party, campaign safety, election protection, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• He described a serious problem in his local school system, Lafayette Parish School System, where during
• He described a serious problem in his local school system, Lafayette Parish School System, where during
• He said there is a horrible problem in his local school system, Lafayette Parish School System.
• He said he is trying to prevent the sale of these items near his schools.
• He said he is trying to prevent the sale of these items near his schools.

Bills: HB302 , HB371 , HB597 , HB1097 , HB1190 , SB34 , SB164 , SB208 , SB232 , SB317 , SB357 , SB421 , SB510

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory

Transcript Highlights:

• So there was no one at the school that entire week. That was the deadline.
• A mistake was made by the counselors and by school personnel.
• We heard from schools. We heard from parents. We heard from superintendents.
• It's a time for them to revive for the last little part of school.
• It's a time for them to revive for the last little part of school.

Committee: All HOUSE MANAGEMENT

Summary: House Management considered a series of House resolutions honoring individuals, teams, and organizations. Resolutions passed recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and commending CASA programs, the Mountain Home Bombers’ boys and girls cross-country championships, a corrected honor for a girls’ team roster, Mount St. Mary Academy’s state golf title, Central Arkansas Christian High School Choir, a local candy shop, Joe T. Robinson’s football and swim/dive state championships, Arkansas Tech University’s Golden Suns and their cross-country team, and North Little Rock’s girls basketball championship. One resolution honoring the Passion Play was pulled from the agenda and moved to regular session. Most of the honors were approved without opposition after brief presentations and no questions. The committee then took up House Resolution 1052, which drew extended discussion. Sponsors and several legislators argued that many Arkansas girls selected for Girls State were being denied participation because school counselors missed an application deadline, despite the students meeting requirements and similar deadline flexibility having been granted in prior years. They said the issue affected roughly 150 girls statewide, that the American Legion Auxiliary board had not been responsive to calls or requests for a meeting, and that the legislature was offering to help with space, funding, or volunteers if needed. Supporters framed the resolution as a matter of fairness, civic opportunity, and not punishing students for adult mistakes, especially since Boys State deadlines had been extended in some cases. Committee members asked about the impact on girls whose brothers were allowed to attend Boys State and whether the situation sent a negative message about equal opportunity. Sponsors said the girls were being treated unfairly and that the resolution was intended to urge the Auxiliary to allow participation. After discussion, the committee voted to pass the resolution. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how about the school districts? I did not.
• Having been a member of the MNEA and when I worked for Special School District in St.
• So have members of a school district complained that they couldn't opt out of their membership?
• From the school district. Okay. So they could still set up automatic payment on their own.
• It says that school boards may adopt regulations and policies.

Committee: House Legislative Review

Summary: The Committee on Legislative Review met with five members present and took up two public hearings: House Bill 369 and House Bill 3465. On HB 369, Representative Simmons said the bill would let school employees join or leave teachers’ unions at any time and would prohibit school districts from automatically deducting union dues from paychecks, citing the Janus decision and arguing members should pay directly rather than through payroll deduction. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, whether unions and school districts had been consulted, whether current law already allows opt-in/opt-out at any time, and whether the bill would affect other payroll deductions. Opposition testimony from Missouri NEA, Missouri State Teachers Association, and the Missouri AFL-CIO said the bill was unnecessary, targeted unions, could create administrative burdens, and might raise constitutional concerns; they emphasized that payroll deduction is already voluntary and that members can cancel membership at any time. No vote was taken on HB 369 during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 3465, a severability bill sponsored by Representative Keithley. He explained that it would create a broader severability standard so that if part of a legislative act is found unconstitutional, the rest could remain in effect unless there is clear and convincing evidence the legislature would not have passed the act without the invalid provision. He said the bill is intended to give courts clearer guidance and preserve the remainder of legislation when possible. Questions from members focused on how this differs from existing severability law and whether it would improperly direct the courts; Keithley responded that it clarifies legislative intent and applies to procedural as well as substantive constitutional issues. Supporters, including Campaign Life Missouri, said the bill would apply to bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and would give courts a clearer standard. There was no opposition testimony on HB 3465, and the hearing concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> trust and relationships with the school trust and relationships with the school and<00:02:36.879
• </c> family and the child up for school family and the child up for school Success<00:10:30.839><c> over
• </c><00:10:43.800><c> thank</c> to school thank to school thank you<00:10:46.079><c> thank</c><00:10:
• And I know as a teacher of 25 years, we very intentionally, at least the school district and the schools
• </c> the community and a community school the community and a community school that<00:20:17.080><c>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is if a school What this bill does is if a school district<00:39:44.000><c> elects
• </c> This would apply to any school This would apply to any school school<00:40:03.200><c> who</c><00
• who This does not apply to any school who This does not apply to any school<00:40:06.400><c> who</c>
• </c><00:40:13.560><c> health</c> entity to provide school-based health entity to provide school-based
• </c><01:06:03.600><c> cheerleading</c> Barbourville High School cheerleading Barbourville High School

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , making sure that monies are going into the school.
• HB 1073 ensures that individual school board members have timely access to school district documents
• HB. 1073 ensures that individual school board members have timely access to school district documents
• school board members for?
• It's school board members, so is it documents that are pertinent to running the school board?

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that somehow private schools is the reason why we are that low.
• all nursing schools.
• , West Coast University, or any other good private nursing schools.
• We have two nursing schools in the state of Florida.
• and a school struggling.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fine: I WOULD PRESUME THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IT WOULD BE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
• WHEN YOU GO HOME, YOU LEAVE THE SCHOOL YOU ARE.
• PERSONAL TAX HAPPENS TO MEET MY SCHOOL DOES NOTHING I DON'T FEEL SEEN AND HEARD.
• SCHOOL DISPLAY CASES ON THE EXTERIOR FLAGPOLE.
• WHAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER THE PROHIBITED FROM DISPLAYING A STUDENT SCHOOL PROJECT WITH A PICTURE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> here's what school districts will get. here's what school districts will get.
• </c> school closures and a lessening budget. school closures and a lessening budget.
• That's the school board.
• </c> little bit going to school districts. little bit going to school districts.
• and school districts, boon for schools and school districts, they<04:31:08.159><c> will</c><04:31:08.399

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school district.
• </c> Ely and Chisholm school districts. Ely and Chisholm school districts.
• district and Ely to Grand Rapids school district and Ely school<00:10:10.000><c> district.
• </c> school district. school district.
• </c> and Nashwauk-Keewatin schools as well. and Nashwauk-Keewatin schools as well.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> been set in Municipal and School been set in Municipal and School District<00:51:30.240><c> law<
• </c><02:12:01.520><c> and</c> boiler uh for the middle school and boiler uh for the middle school and
• <c> project</c> the school Beach Street school project the school Beach Street school project so<02:14
• My name is Lori Lane, and I am the superintendent of schools for the Pittsfield School District.
• <c> me</c><05:13:33.440><c> school</c><05:13:33.600><c> board</c> Amhurst has five School me school board

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> agreement with BOSA, the board of school agreement with BOSA, the board of school administrators
• </c> might want to work in Morehead schools might want to work in Morehead schools but<00:10:16.480><
• While our school education.
• In addition to my day job, I also serve as an elected school board member in Manoary Public Schools.
• </c> schools? Mr. Baker. schools? Mr. Baker.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These funds can be of this school.
• The only lab school in University.
• </c><00:14:41.839><c> grows</c> allow us to say if if the school grows allow us to say if if the school
• If the school that would go with it.
• Uh and we're school in Kentucky.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to begin hearing budget requests from Kentucky universities. Eastern Kentucky University President David McFaden highlighted EKU’s enrollment growth, its large population of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, and its role in producing graduates for Kentucky’s workforce, especially in health care, public safety, manufacturing, engineering, and aviation. He said EKU is seeking support for a Center for Health Innovation, including a doctor of osteopathic medicine program, with a $50 million accreditation escrow and startup funding that would be returned to the state after accreditation. He also described EKU’s health programs, which have strong pass rates and high in-state employment outcomes, and said the university wants continued asset preservation funding, inflationary operating support, and other recurring budget items. McFaden also outlined EKU’s aviation request, including $10 million for new aircraft and support for an enhanced air traffic control program created in response to a legislative study. He said the program would enroll cohorts of about 30 students, likely attract out-of-state students, and require a $5 million startup investment plus $1.5 million in annual recurring support. He added that EKU’s lab school is seeking a revised funding model tied to enrollment rather than a flat mandated amount. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the medical school escrow, aircraft needs, and program capacity, and McFaden clarified that the escrow would remain intact until accreditation and then be returned to the general fund. Kentucky State University President Kakpo then reviewed prior capital support that helped repair a dorm and several leaking roofs, and said the university is still addressing campus infrastructure problems. He said KSU’s main request is a new health sciences building to house its growing nursing program and language program, along with $40 million for additional dorm renovations and a carve-out for its aquaculture program. Kakpo said the aquaculture PhD proposal would be federally funded and could bring in more revenue, while the new building would help relieve overcrowding and support KSU’s research role. In response to questions, he said KSU’s campus housing capacity would be about 1,334 beds if all dorms were repaired, and that the university is rotating students through renovated buildings while trying to keep them on campus. Committee members also raised safety concerns about the December campus shooting at KSU. Kakpo said the incident was isolated, expressed sympathy for the families affected, and said the university has reviewed campus procedures, added police and security positions, and is strengthening safety processes. The meeting did not include any votes or formal actions; it was a budget presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> school workers. They are not seasonal. school workers. They are not seasonal.
• </c> our bus drivers and our hourly school our bus drivers and our hourly school workers<00:14:35.279
• </c><00:21:37.440><c> through</c> supporting our schools through supporting our schools through mining
• </c> continued stability to our schools continued stability to our schools across<00:21:44.400><c> the
• </c> know that you're supporting the schools know that you're supporting the schools in<00:22:42.559>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Are we reaching out to also do non-public school students?
• at private schools?
• school students also qualify students who are income eligible at private schools it's only public school
• at the School of Business.
• at the school of business.

Summary: The committee’s first major discussion focused on higher education facilities across UC, CSU, and the community colleges, with Chair Alvarez framing the issue as a final budget hearing before the May Revise. The LAO presented findings that campuses have grown substantially in buildings and square footage, while classroom and lab utilization remains below legislative standards and deferred maintenance backlogs continue to rise. The LAO also emphasized that the state and segments lack comprehensive data on capital renewal spending and recommended better reporting, clearer funding targets, and long-term planning for renewal and maintenance. UC, CSU, and community college representatives each described large five-year capital plans, aging facilities, seismic and deferred maintenance needs, and the role of student housing, while noting that construction costs are rising faster than inflation. Members questioned the segments about debt service, utilization rates, and how projects are prioritized. UC said its debt service tied to state support is about $665 million annually and described a $30 billion five-year capital financial plan, including housing, medical centers, and building renewal. CSU said it has about $31 billion in five-year needs and more than $8 billion in deferred maintenance, with funding coming from a mix of state-related and one-time sources since the state shifted capital responsibility to CSU. Community colleges said their unmet facilities needs total about $33.5 billion and explained their use of a scoring matrix and FUSION system to rank projects. The chair and members pressed all three systems to better distinguish between projects that are truly shovel-ready and those that are long-term needs, and discussed whether facilities condition data, total cost of ownership, and more standardized metrics should guide future bond proposals. The committee then turned to Proposition 2 and the Governor’s proposed community college capital outlay projects. The Department of Finance said Prop. 2 provides $1.5 billion for community colleges and that the Governor’s budget proposes 29 projects, with two continuing Prop. 51 projects also included. The LAO supported the overall use of the funds but raised concerns about the current 65/35 split between modernization and growth, the unusually large share of gymnasium projects, and some scoring metrics that favor larger campuses and certain regions. Community college officials said the scoring system was developed through participatory governance and would take one to two years to revise, but they supported the funding and agreed to follow up on questions about project categories and the rationale for the weighting. Members also suggested giving more weight to modernization, regional access, and intersegmental or collaborative projects. A final item addressed the CalKids program. The Department of Finance proposed $56,000 ongoing General Fund for three positions, while the LAO recommended approving two positions but rejecting a manager position until the current $7.5 million marketing campaign is evaluated. ScholarShare’s executive director said CalKids has enrolled more than 5 million children, with nearly 600,000 claims and over $45 million distributed, and argued that additional staff and outreach are needed to reach a goal of 1 million claimed scholarships by the end of 2025 and to implement AB 2808. Members asked about marketing effectiveness, data sharing, and eligibility rules, and the program said it is expanding partnerships with Cradle to Career and CSAC. No final vote was taken in the hearing, and the chair indicated the facilities item would be held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Elementary school students that live within two miles of their elementary school must walk or ride their
• Most school shooters are 18. Most school shooters are 18 to 20 with a long gun. It's facts.
• Another school. Another school. It took the lives of 17 Floridians, children, at a high school.
• Another school. Another school. It took the lives of 17 Floridians, children, at a high school.
• Are our children, teachers, and school personnel still in school? Yes, they are.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum confirmed, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for retired fire captain Bill Guston and a welcome for guests in the galleries. The Speaker then outlined the House’s budget approach, saying the proposed General Appropriations Act would be lower than both the governor’s proposal and last year’s budget, and announced plans to seek a permanent 0.75% reduction in the state sales tax. The chamber also received the governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001 and began considering motions to restore several vetoed appropriations. Members unanimously reinstated funding for the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, the Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1 project, the automated staffing/time management system for the Department of Corrections, and the Baldwin sanitary sewer and water main replacement project. The House also adopted special order and GAA amendment-procedure reports. On the special order calendar, the chamber passed HB 289 on boating safety (“Lucy’s Law”), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process, all by wide margins. The most debated measure was HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “free kill” law limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-sought justice measure for families who lost adult children and were barred from suing, while opponents argued it was needed to provide accountability and fairness. The bill passed 104-6. The House then took up HB 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase or transfer a firearm from 21 to 18. An amendment to keep the age at 21 was defeated, and debate featured strong arguments on both sides about constitutional rights, public safety, Parkland, military service, and data on youth violence; the transcript ends during continued debate on the bill, before final passage is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:09:50.240><c> well</c><00:09:50.320><c> as</c><00:09:50.399><c> a</c> school by school basis as
• well as a school by school basis as well as a state-by-state<00:09:51.200><c> basis</c><00:09:51.519
• So I wanted to start there schools.
• </c> just for high school students. just for high school students.
• </c> standards by which schools were judged. standards by which schools were judged.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:00:00 Approval of Minutes: 0:01:45 Federal Education Updates 0:02:12 Dual Credit Updates: 0:43:38 Kentucky State University's Doctoral Program Request: 01:27:08 Postsecondary Accreditation: 1:49:05 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 2:14:48 Adjournment 2:16:31, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard a presentation from Austin Reid of the National Conference of State Legislatures on education-related provisions in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Reid said the law is projected to increase the federal deficit over 10 years, with major savings coming from Medicaid, student loan changes, and SNAP. He focused on how those changes could affect schools, including possible effects on free and reduced-price meal certification, state funding formulas that use SNAP as a proxy for low-income status, and Medicaid-funded school services for students with disabilities. Reid also outlined the new federal scholarship tax credit, which gives a dollar-for-dollar credit for donations to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations. He said families up to 300% of area median income may benefit, the program begins in 2027, and states must opt in and designate eligible organizations. He noted unresolved questions about whether states can add their own criteria and said Treasury regulations will be important. He also described the expansion of 529 plans to cover more K-12 and postsecondary expenses. On higher education, Reid explained a new workforce Pell grant option for short-term programs, with states and governors playing a role in determining eligible programs. He said the programs must meet placement, completion, and earnings measures and that implementation is expected to be tight before the July 1, 2026 effective date. He also reviewed student loan changes, including lower institutional loan limits, prorated borrowing for part-time enrollment, new caps on graduate and Parent PLUS loans, and a new earnings-based accountability standard that could make some programs ineligible for student loans if graduates earn too little. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charter schools<00:05:07.880><c> are</c><00:05:08.000><c> often</c><00:05:08.320><c> discussed</c> schools
• I understand charter schools are public schools, but have been delivered by outside entities.
• I understand charter schools are public schools, but have been delivered by outside entities.
• </c> them as seriously in the charter school them as seriously in the charter school context<00:14:45.960
• Unlike public schools that you can't close down, if charter schools weren't making it, they would close

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house